BURNLEY won't kick a ball, but tonight's crucial Second Division programme could still have a major bearing on their relegation run-in.

Four of the clubs below the Clarets are in action, as well as two of the sides within two points of Burnley in the opposite direction.

Nothing will be decided one way or the other, and for a number of clubs the relegation scrap will go down to the last day of the season.

But depending on how tonight's games go, Stan Ternent's men will head for Stoke City on Saturday knowing that a win will make them as good as safe or still leave them short of salvation.

Looking upwards, 13th-placed Notts County - probably the highest ranked side not yet certain to be safe - take on Macclesfield at Meadow Lane in the knowledge that three points will virtually guarantee Second Division football next season.

At the same time, a victory for County, who have lost just once since drawing with Burnley at the start of April, would leave bottom club Macclesfield needing a minor miracle to avoid an instant return to Division Three despite their recent record of two wins in three games.

Wrexham have shown a worrying slump in form, losing four of their last five games since the departure of key midfielder Dave Brammer, and Brian Flynn's side will draw level on games with Burnley after tonight's visit of Gillingham. The fifth-placed Gills still need the odd win to guarantee a play-off place so Wrexham's fears could increase if they fail to reverse their slump and remain just a point above the Clarets.

Also in free-fall are Bristol Rovers, who face a tough trip to a Chesterfield side which has nothing to play for but which beat champions-elect Fulham on Saturday.

The Pirates, two points below Burnley with tonight's game in hand, have won only once since March 6 and look one of the sides in greatest danger from the resurgence of Northampton and Oldham.

Three points adrift of Burnley and out of the relegation zone on goals scored only are York City, who entertain Blackpool.

The Minstermen are unbeaten in three games but are paying the price for a wretched run before that and they desperately need a significant return tonight and at Macclesfield on Saturday.

After that, caretaker boss Neil Thompson sees his side entertain Bournemouth and then visit Manchester City on the final day of the season when points will be hard to come by.

The remaining relegation showdown on tonight's fixture list sees in-form Northampton Town entertain Auto Windscreens Shield winner Wigan Athletic.

The Cobblers, with three wins and two draws from their last five games, could go level on points with Burnley but have scored 12 fewer goals and will have played a game more after tonight. Defeat would therefore give Burnley a massive advantage over opponents they face away from home on the last day of the season.

A win for Northampton would, however, dent Wigan's play-off hopes which could be favourable for the Clarets by the time they go to Springfield Park on May 3.

The permutations are therefore endless, even at this stage of the season.

The worst case scenario could see Burnley slip two places and a point nearer the bottom four tonight.

Alternatively they could stay three points clear with games in hand on York and Northampton.

Either way, Burnley's fate remains squarely in their own hands.

And even though boss Ternent will be keeping tabs on the scorelines filtering through this evening he has constantly stressed that what other teams do doesn't interest him.

He has backed his players to keep themselves up and as the side in the bottom half of the table with the longest unbeaten record, the smartest money would be on the Clarets to stay up.

At the other end of the table, Walsall will be within touching distance of automatic promotion of they win at faltering Preston, who are destined for the play-offs.

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